Almhouses

Bruges has dozens of Almhouses (Godshuizen) which where established in the 14th century by the wealthy people or guilds for the poor, elderdly & widows.

Almhouses are built like mini-beguinages small white washed houses clustered round a central courtyard and also listed as world heritage by Unesco.

Most are still occupied by elderly people so please visit respectfully.

Certainly worth incorporating into a stroll around Bruges.

366 steps to the top

Bruges bell tower

The medieval bell tower was added to the Market square around 1240, when Bruges was prospering as an important center of Flemish cloth industry.   

The Belfry formerly housed a treasury and the municipal archives and served as an observation post for spotting fires and other danger.

Its distinctive octagonal lantern can be seen from pretty much all over town.















A narrow, steep staircase of 366 steps leads to the top of the 83 metre high Belfry tower and is open to the public















There are several stopping points along the way up if you need a rest.




You will discover the old treasury room,   

After a devastating fire in 1280 the tower was largely rebuilt.  The city archives, however, were forever lost to the flames.

     an impressive clock mechanism, 

and a carillon.                                

The Bruges carillon spreads a warm, vibrant, wonderful music across the  city.                           

                           

You can see all the mechanical workings of the bells.

If you are here when the bells start playing you are lucky, even thought it is incredibly loud, it is absolutely beautiful!




In 2014 Unesco has recognised Belgian carillon culture as an intangible cultural heritage.

Tip: try to be there shortly after the 9.30 opening time to avoid a long queue.   

Finally you'll be rewarded with a 360° view that stretch across the entire city and surroundings.

P.S. The Belfry tower is the central feature of the 2008 film In Bruges.

The Beguinage: one of the most magical places in Bruges.

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The Bruges Beguinage was founded in 1245 and continued in use as a refuge where women could retreat from the turbulent society to follow a secure, useful and peaceful life without the need to take the vows of a Nun.

The latest Beguin left in 1926.
Today a community of Benedict nuns inhabit the site.

You enter the Beguinage over a small bridge and through a gatehouse dating from 1776.  The entrance gate closes without fail at 6.30 pm.

The Beguinage is a tranquil coutyard with whitewashed houses set around a grassed area.  It is best visited early spring when the central green is full of daffodils.

There is also a church, museum and gift shop that are worth seeing.

It is great to stroll among the trees and flowers of this area and just to relax without disturbing the occupants of the Beguinage.

The Beguinage is listed as Heritage by Unesco.

Heilig Bloed: de kostbare Brugse schat.

Heilig Bloed: de kostbare Brugse schat. 

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Venerating Holy Blood in Bruges

De traditie vertelt dat Diederik van den Elzas in de 12de eeuw een relikwie van het bloed van Jezus Christus overbracht van Jeruzalem naar Brugge.
Vanaf dan wordt deze kostbare schat bewaard in de Heilig Bloedkapel op de Burg in Brugge. 

't Brugs Begijnhof op zijn fleurig mooist.

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Het begijnhof is één van de meest geschilderde en gefotografeerde plekjes te Brugge. 
Vooral in het voorjaar, als de paaslelies bloeien, is deze plaats een verrukking voor de zintuigen.  Rond een grasperk met door de wind gebogen bomen staan witgekalkte huisjes, het huis van de grootjuffrouw, een kapelletje en een kerk.  De huidige gebouwen dateren van de 17de eeuw, maar het oorspronkelijke begijnhof ontstond in de 13de eeuw.
Deze site maakt sinds 1998 deel uit van het Unesco Werelderfgoed.



Begijnhof Brugge vroege lente

20 reasons to visit Bruges - 1°

Bruges is stunning
If you're after a storybook European city, Bruges ticks every box: horse-drawn carriages plod along tiny cobbled streets, handmade stone bridges cross over canals filled with swans, gargoyles watch from the corners of Gothic churches and at night, slightly askew towers are illuminated by golden light.
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre is one of the best-preserved mediaeval cities in Europe, but remember to get a little lost: secret gardens and quiet, picturesque spots are waiting to be discovered across the city.